Sue O’Leary, age 80, died April 8, 2022 in Helena Montana. She was born in Spokane Washington on April 22, 1941 to Raymond and Katherine Crowley. She had 9 siblings; Bill (deceased), Susie (deceased), Pat, Kay, Jimmy (deceased), Janie (deceased), Chuck, Joy (deceased), and Sally. She and PO (Pat O’Leary) met at Carroll College and married in 1963. She is survived by her 4 children Mary Ellen (spouse Richard, children Maranda and Cheyanne), Meg (spouse Blair), Tim (spouse Suzy Rizza children Luke and Colin) and Jane (spouse Scott children Jake and Gabriel). You could find her walking up and around Nob Hill, making snow angels, checking the stars, riding her bike with her great friends, touring Yellowstone and skiing her beloved “Belmont” (Great Divide). She will be missed by “oodles” of friends and family
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 12:10 p.m. on Wednesday, April 13th at Saint Mary Catholic Community, 1700 Missoula Ave. A luncheon reception will follow the Mass in the fellowship hall of the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Sue’s name are suggested to an organization or charity of donor’s choice.
Tammy and Mark Copenhaver says
We are so sorry to hear about Sue. We only knew her a brief time while residing on Belt View. She was such a positive and vibrant woman. Always said hello, willing to share veggies from her garden and a few Kettlehouse brews. She will be missed!
Our sincere condolences –
Doris copenhaver says
Oh Sue Sue it was too soon. We had many more bike rides. Those will be the times remembered.
Out to Judy golobs trailer for lunch and drinks, parking our bikes in the back of the hub while having lunch. Our rides were so looked forward to and special. You will be so missed my friend.
I will never have a kettle house brew or attend a performance at the KettleHouse Amphitheater without thinking of you and your family. Ride high my friend and you once again will see your beloved PO
Judy Tobin says
Sue was a “cousin” to Judy, Jane and Pete Tobin. Our mother, Jane Tobin, thought of Sue as a daughter and they were good friends. We are saddened to hear of Sue’s death and send our thoughts and sympathy to the family.
Jane Tobin says
Sue never forgot to send Judy, Pete and Jane Tobin Parrot candy for Christmas. Christmas didn’t start for us until the candy arrived. Sue was a wonderful friend and a great friend to my mother, Jane Tobin.
We will miss her a lot and think of her every Christmas.
Donna And Alan Hulse says
Mary Ellen, Meg, Tim, and Jane,
I am sorry to hear about your Mom. She was always happy and pleased to see people and say hi! Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I’m out of town and sorry to miss seeing you all.
Much Love,
Donna and Alan Hulse
Mary Kay Bennett says
Tim, Mary Ellen, Meg and Janey, I am so sorry.
The highlight of every year for your mom was the annual Christmas family event at Big Sky..she would talk about it for months ahead & we would all be thrilled for your family time.
I’m going to miss her so much..who will make our caramel corn, our party potatoes and her special GORP.
Can’t wait till I see you again, Sue! 💙MK
I’m broken-hearted.
Michele Rizza says
Tim, Jane, Meg and Mary Ellen- I will miss watching her sell Cold Smoke to everyone. She had an unforgettable smile that I see on your faces. Go gently.
Tom and Shauna Foley says
O’Leary family,
We are so saddened to hear of of Sue’s passing. Her and PO were such dear friends of the Foley family. She was such a positive person and such a joy to be around. I so enjoyed getting updates on ya’ll when I would see her. you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Carol Henderson says
So sorry to hear of Sue’s passing. When I moved to Day Spring Loop, she was the first person to welcome me. We discovered our mutual love of Snow Angels and had a contest as to who would be the first to make one after it snowed. Of course, hers were on her hill and mine were on flat ground, but we liked to think they waved to each other across the street. When I was a “House Mother” 3 of the Brewer’s Baseball players and needed a place to house them for a week while my relatives visited me, she volunteered to take them in. When I sold the house and moved to my condo, she came over to help me clean for the new owners. She was one of the best neighbors I ever had
Julie & Jim DeMars says
Dear O Family,
Sue was hands down one of THE BEST people we ever had the pleasure of knowing. We will be thinking of all of you as you navigate living your lives without her bright light to guide you.
We know she was overjoyed to join P.O. and are thankful for that.
We love you all.
Theresa Racicot says
Dear O’Leary Family,
My heart aches for you in the loss of your wonderful mother. She and I became friends closer when we worked at Helena High together and then in the condo units. She was such a great friend and “property manager’ when I was back and forth from Helena to DC. She let my children in when they got locked out or had lost their keys, shared her home for wedding overflow, and so many other things to numerous to mention. I so admired her zest for life and how much fun she was.
You will all be in my thoughts, especially tomorrow as you send her home to the Lord. I am sorry I cannot be with you to celebrate her life. I will be praying for you as you go forward without her joyful guiding light.
Love, The Racicot Family
Bob Moon says
Sue and PO were good ones, for sure. Now, joined together after many years. Always enjoyed our conversations. Sympathy to her dear family.
Jeff DeMars says
So sorry for your loss. I remember Sue and PO at Belmont skiing and coming into Louies Grocery. My Prayers are with you.
Peg Hunter says
What a loss of a lively, fun, thoughtful person! I knew Sue when I was teaching at HMS and also when we gathered for the memorial for Wallkin’ Jim Stoltz. Such a delightful human being. I am sending healing thoughts to her family.
Jack Haffey says
O’Leary Family:
We were saddened to learn about Sue’s passing. While we had not seen Sue in these last few years she was always in our thoughts – the entire O’Leary family was as well. Sue always had a great smile and kindness about her.
Sue, with P.O., were model parents and friends for all.
Susan and I, with the rest of our family, have these wonderful memories and we send our thoughts and prayers to your family.
Carol Christnacht says
Meg, MaryEllen and Tim – I was so saddened to hear that your Mom had passed away. I was in Helena two weeks ago to see Mom and Dad and saw her at Mass. She was still so friendly and such a joy. I loved visiting with her, playing tennis and doing aerobics with her.
She was so proud of all of you.
Sending my love
Carol Christnacht
Marilyn Miller says
I was so sorry to hear about Sue’s passing! I tried to call you, Meg, but your phone number is now a “wrong number”! I will miss seeing Sue around town … always happy, interested, concerned, and sweet …
She’s in good hands.
Call me, Meg.
Bettie Roosma says
My very dear former neighbors, your mother was such a joy to be with. Leanne and I had dinner with her in September when I was in Helena and we never stopped laughing. We were at the Overland Express because she said you kids were giving her orders not to drive too far and not to drive after dark. She thought that was pretty hilarious! One day we will all be together again and rejoice in heaven. She and your Dad were the best.
With love,
Bettie Erickson Roosma
Pete Carparelli says
Soon after our arrival in Helena, lo those many years ago, Sue and PO became important influences in our lives. For me, that extended into my professional growth. For Mary and me as a couple, they were models for our family life. Sue continued to be an angel of enthusiasm, joy, humor and energy (oh, the energy) as well as a woman of faith and family each and every time we had occasion to be with her. And through Sue (and PO) I had the privilege of the presence of her spirit in those wonderful O’Leary kids. Thanks so much Sue!
Colleen Rahn says
Mary Ellen, Tim, Meg, and Jane,
I am so sorry for the passing of your mom. My memories of you all growing up, us spending time at your house in the summers and our parents getting together for the occasional celebration, are wonderful. Your mom was lovely, fun, energetic, and just overall a great person. She is now with her beloved PO. I remember her gitty laugh when she got excited about something and I am sure she expressed her excitement in the same way, being with PO again!
You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
With Love,
Colleen (Mulholland) Rahn
Dean Dean Retz says
Sue and I are so filled with memories of the O’leary clan. Having children the same basic age as PO and Sue, we tracked the athletic events of all the children. We have a vivid memory of when our son Darren had surgery, Tim came over on New Years eve to visit with Darren. What a class act.! God bless all of the children!!!
Sue Moore says
Sue was (and always will be) one of my idols on living with passion for everything in life. From her skiing, biking and especially her kids.
I have never met someone more willing to assist in adventure seeking. (Including giving away her own cold smoke hat:))
She and PO made so many contributions in such a short time.
Cheers to the whole OLeary family with a cold smoke and run down the Z.
You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Sue Moore
Don Pratt says
To the O’leary Family
So sorry to hear of the the passing of your mother Sue. I just returned from TX and missed her service . My prayers go out to all of you and if there is any thing I can do please call on me. There are many fond memories of of your families and ours and I feel privileged to have known you all
Diane and Mike Langenfus says
Dear O’ family,
Mike and I have known P O. and Sue since the latter 60’s when we were in High-school and P.O. was our History, Theology, and assistant coaching for Mike and chaperones for school dances, out of town Band trips. You name it and Sue and /P.O. were a part of our for years education. Many years after graduation, Sue became a very dear, dear, friend. We worked many a fund raiser together, and you would never be turned down by asking Sue for help in any given project. We had jewelry parties, garage sales, she was always willing to be a part of anything that would help others.
I will miss her and am very sad we will not be there for her service as we are out of Montana until August. Please accept out deepest condolences and God Bless you all.
Rita A Williams says
To Sue’s family:
My prayers are with you. Sue was a great person. I did not know Sue well but the times I spent with her were fun filled and warm.
Jeff and Karen Strickler says
Meg and family, We were so sorry to hear of the loss of your mom. She was a great friend from our earliest time in Helena, a neighbor at Stony Brook, and a companion on a Smith River float, and many days skiing Belmont and Big Sky. She will be missed.
Deacon Steve and Laura Barry says
To all the O’Leary family our prayers and thoughts are with you. Sue was one of those people you just didn’t forget; her sense of humor and ready willingness to help and a faith that sustained her during the trying times of life. She was a great hiker, and we truly enjoyed the long weekend trips we took as a group of families. With Sue, we knew something pretty cool was going to happen, we just didn’t know exactly what! I’ll never forget her jumping into the pond at Sperry Chalet after a long hike from Logan Pass and over Gunsight Pass….it sure was cool, as she quickly found out! Our Good Lord certainly has a very special place picked out for her, before the face of God, for all time. Blessings and Peace to all your family.
KR says
Sue’s family and friends,
You are in my thoughts and prayers as you begin life without your mom, mom-in-law, grandmother, and friend’s physical presence, continue to see Sue in each of you, and finally, as you celebrate an impactful and well-lived lifetime.
Love to all.